PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Keppi Kullervo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pehr Erik Liljestrand (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kullervo
vs
Erik Liljestrand

225 cm
18
130 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

225 cm
26
140 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Keppi Kullervo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pehr Erik Liljestrand!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Kullervo.
Liljestrand is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kullervo.

Kullervo rushes Liljestrand and presses him up against the cage.
Kullervo wants to get back to striking at distance but Liljestrand won't allow it.
Kullervo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Liljestrand smiles and moves away.
Liljestrand looks to clinch

and Kullervo counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Liljestrand's guard now.
Kullervo is looking to stand up but Liljestrand won't let him.
Kullervo trying to control the position from guard on top but Liljestrand is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kullervo thows a big elbow that misses.
Liljestrand wants to stand but Kullervo is controlling the position.

Liljestrand scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Liljestrand throws a low kick but Kullervo moves out of range easily.
Pehr Erik Liljestrand seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Liljestrand closes the distance looking to clinch
and Kullervo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kullervo looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kullervo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kullervo is trying to control the action in half guard but Liljestrand is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Liljestrand kicks Kullervo off and gets back to his feet.
Kullervo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kullervo really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Liljestrand tries to clinch but Kullervo moves away

and Kullervo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kullervo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Liljestrand smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keppi Kullervo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kullervo shoots in and drives through. Liljestrand sprawls well.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kullervo.
An inside leg kick lands from Liljestrand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kullervo has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Liljestrand.
Kullervo has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Liljestrand.
Liljestrand stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Liljestrand wants it to stay on the feet.
Kullervo is breathing heavily.
Liljestrand swats away the attempt to clinch by Kullervo.
Liljestrand is looking to slow Kullervo down with leg kicks.
Liljestrand looks to clinch

and Kullervo counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kullervo.
Liljestrand keeps control of Kullervo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kullervo wants to get back to striking at distance but Liljestrand won't allow it.
Kullervo manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kullervo wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kullervo tries to pull guard but Liljestrand holds him up against the cage and eventually Kullervo drops back down to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liljestrand misses with a knee to the head.
Liljestrand tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kullervo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Liljestrand walks away with a smile on his face. Kullervo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Liljestrand misses with a hook.
Liljestrand closes the distance looking to clinch

and Kullervo counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kullervo prevents Liljestrand from standing back up.

Liljestrand pushes Kullervo off and gets back to his feet.
Pehr Erik Liljestrand is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Liljestrand slaps away a takedown attempt from Kullervo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A punch combination from Liljestrand misses.
Liljestrand tries to bum rush Kullervo with a series of wild strikes but Kullervo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liljestrand tries to clinch but Kullervo moves away
and Kullervo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Liljestrand thinking.
Liljestrand darts in trying to clinch
and Kullervo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Kullervo rushes Liljestrand and presses him up against the cage.
A knee to the head by Liljestrand.

Kullervo ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Kullervo no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Liljestrand wants to control from the top but Kullervo keeps moving.
Kullervo trying to keep a closed guard but Liljestrand is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Liljestrand showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Liljestrand looking to sit in guard and control but Kullervo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keppi Kullervo dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kullervo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Liljestrand, pushing him back against the cage.
Kullervo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kullervo lands a nice knee to the body.
Kullervo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kullervo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keppi Kullervo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kullervo tries to land knees in the clinch but Liljestrand avoids the damage to the body.
Kullervo is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kullervo tries to pull guard but Liljestrand won't allow it.
Kullervo tries for a takedown but Liljestrand manages to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kullervo jumps guard but Liljestrand stands there with Kullervo around his waist. Kullervo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Kullervo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kullervo takes a jab right on the kisser.
Liljestrand throws a leg kick but Kullervo sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kullervo looks for a takedown but Liljestrand sprawls well.
Liljestrand feints and then cracks Kullervo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kullervo down.
Liljestrand scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Liljestrand darts in trying to clinch
and Kullervo counters with a nice uppercut.
Liljestrand tries to clinch up

and Kullervo moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liljestrand throws a knee to the head but misses.

Kullervo jumps guard and drags Liljestrand to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Liljestrand content to stall in guard here.
Kullervo keeping moving, preventing Liljestrand from controlling successfully.
Liljestrand throws a strike but Kullervo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Kullervo won't allow Liljestrand to get back to his feet.
Kullervo trying to control the position from guard on top but Liljestrand is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liljestrand wants to get back to his feet but Kullervo is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kullervo controls from within his opponent's guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kullervo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Liljestrand moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kullervo wants to clinch.
Kullervo on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Liljestrand. Liljestrand obviously looking to wear him down.
Kullervo shoots in for a takedown but Liljestrand shows good takedown defense.
Liljestrand closes the distance looking to clinch

and Kullervo counters by clinching up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kullervo goes for a takedown in the clinch but Liljestrand prevents it.

Kullervo jumps guard and drags Liljestrand to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Liljestrand trying to control the position from guard on top but Kullervo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kullervo looking to control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Liljestrand is stalling in the full guard.
Liljestrand being controlled here momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Keppi Kullervo will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Liljestrand displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kullervo.
Kullervo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Liljestrand sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Kullervo is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Liljestrand's half guard.
Kullervo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Liljestrand does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kullervo not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Liljestrand is trying to stand back up but Kullervo is controlling him

Liljestrand kicks Kullervo off and gets back to his feet.
Kullervo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Liljestrand is fending him off so far but Kullervo persists. Nope, Liljestrand circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keppi Kullervo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Liljestrand misses with a leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Liljestrand tries to clinch up

and Kullervo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kullervo wants a takedown but no success here.
Kullervo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Liljestrand is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Liljestrand letting Kullervo take a breather here.
Kullervo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kullervo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Liljestrand tries to land a knee to the head but Kullervo blocks with his arms.
Kullervo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Liljestrand just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kullervo tries to pull guard but Liljestrand won't allow it.
Kullervo tries to pull guard but Liljestrand won't allow it.
Kullervo tries to pull guard but Liljestrand won't allow it.
Kullervo drops down looking for an ankle pick but Liljestrand pulls his leg out and moves away.
Liljestrand darts in trying to clinch

and Kullervo counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Liljestrand tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Kullervo manages to move to mount!
Kullervo trying to control but Liljestrand is having none of it.
Liljestrand squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kullervo misses with a head shot.
Liljestrand wants to get back to his feet.
Kullervo tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Kullervo looking to ground and pound but Liljestrand is blocking nicely.
Kullervo sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Keppi Kullervo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kullervo fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Liljestrand wants to get back to his feet.
Kullervo has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kullervo controlling the position easily from mount.

Kullervo stands up from mount. Strange move.

Kullervo clinches.
Kullervo tries to pull guard but Liljestrand holds him up against the cage and eventually Kullervo drops back down to his feet.

Kullervo successfully pulls guard.
Liljestrand trying to control but Kullervo is working from the bottom.
Kullervo looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Keppi Kullervo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kullervo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight for Keppi Kullervo!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Keppi Kullervo!
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Keppi Kullervo!

Keppi Kullervo wins by unanimous decision!